SMART Action Research
With more than 1 million SMART BoardTM interactive whiteboards in classrooms
“I am an avid SMART
product user and I create
and employ the use of
digital media and content
on a daily basis. I believe
strongly that such tools
enhance the learning,
retention, attention,
participation and test scores
of my students.” (Barrieau,
2009, p. 3)
worldwide and more than 25 million students actively learning with SMART products
every day, SMART can be found in every U.S. state, every Canadian province, every
Local Authority in the UK and more than 170 countries. To demonstrate the effects of
educational technology on teaching and learning, many educators have initiated action
research projects.
SMART is immersed in a dynamic research community and often provides product
loans and other support to qualified educators who undertake research on a variety
of topics. This action research summary presents findings from recent projects that
explored how interactive response systems are being used to improve learning
outcomes.
SMART ResponseTM Interactive
Response Systems
Immediate Feedback: Student Response Systems
Rovnak, P. (2009). Immediate Feedback: Student Response Systems. (Unpublished master’s
thesis). Full Sail University, Winter Park, FL.
This four-year study, conducted as part of a master’s degree in education media design
and technology, concluded that interactive response systems help increase student
learning and enhance teachers’ ability to target areas of concern. Interactive response
systems allow students to respond immediately to questions and enable teachers to
give fast feedback. Without having to wait until tests and quizzes are graded, teachers
can quickly adapt their teaching to address gaps in learning before moving on to more
advanced lessons.
The research data showed grade-level equivalency growth of 30–36 percent from
grades two to three and 52 percent from grades three to four. Given these increases,
the paper concluded that interactive response systems “are invaluable tools to have in an
elementary classroom” (p. 21).
smarttech.com/PaulaRovnakThesis
Keywords: classroom response systems; educational assessment; formative assessment;
interactive response systems; student assessment; student response systems; summative
assessment

“Many students feel that the
Senteo [SMART Response]
device adds an important
aspect to the lesson.
Students feel empowered
by using the device and they
like to see the variety of
student responses.” (Schmitt,
2009, p. 11)
Analyzing the Effectiveness of Curriculum-Based Digital Content Used in a
Grade 6 French Immersion Classroom
Barrieau, A. (2009). Analyzing the Effectiveness of Curriculum-Based Digital Content Used in
a Grade 6 French Immersion Classroom. (Research project for SMART Technologies Learning
Environments Initiative). District 16, Miramichi, NB.
This research, conducted from April to June 2009, concluded that SMART products
improve student learning in French immersion math, French immersion science and
English language arts. Through a series of surveys, video diaries, interviews, photos and
a student feedback blog, Barrieau and her colleagues at Harkins Middle School in New
Brunswick, Canada, demonstrated that SMART products, including SMART Response
interactive response systems and SMART Board interactive whiteboards, foster improved
student learning, enhanced literacy skills and active collaboration in the classroom.
smarttech.com/researchHarkins
Keywords: assessment; collaborative learning; curriculum-based digital content;
learning environments; SMART Board interactive whiteboards; SMART Response
interactive response systems
Using Technology to Support the Development of Mental Math
Strategies in Mathematics with Grades 4 and 5 Students
Schmitt, A. (2009). Using Technology to Support the Development of Mental Math
Strategies in Mathematics with Grades 4 and 5 Students. (Unpublished research project).
Toronto District School Board, Toronto, ON.
This project was conducted at a Toronto District School Board elementary school in
2009. It explored how the SMART Response interactive response system (formerly
SenteoTM) could be used to “inform formative assessment and planning of mental math
strategies using number strings” (p. 6).
The researcher offered a number of conclusions. Interactive response systems, for
example, helped fourth- and fifth-grade students with mental math mini-lessons (e.g.,
splitting, adding on and moving). Interactive response systems were also motivational
and helpful for both students and teachers because they could keep track of responses.
The systems also provided teachers with evidence of participation and accuracy in
mental math exercises. Additionally, the researcher felt that integrating products such
as the SMART Board interactive whiteboard could provide “a detailed picture of what
is happening during a lesson” (p. 12) when, for example, a teacher wants to know how
students have arrived at their answers.
smarttech.com/researchToronto
Keywords: formative assessment; mental math; mini-lessons; number strings; SMART
Board interactive whiteboards; SMART Response interactive response systems
Using SMART Technology to Create a More Successful, Student Centered
Classroom
Moylan, K. (2009). Using SMART technology to create a more successful, student
centered classroom. (Unpublished research project). Worcester Technical High School,
Worcester, MA.
| S M A R T AC T I O N R E S E A R CH
“Student writing improved This project, undertaken at Worcester Technical High School from 2008 to 2009,
explored whether the use of interactive technologies would create a more student-
as a result of greater centered classroom and increase student achievement. It found that using SMART
Response interactive response systems and other SMART products increased student
understanding of the
comprehension and retention in ninth-grade honors U.S. history classes. For example,
historical information, there was a 10 percent increase in average test scores for two in-class assignments after
the introduction of SMART Response.
facilitated through whole
In addition to their effect on test scores, SMART Response and other SMART products
class, small group and helped students take charge of their learning and become more accountable for the
material. A student commented that with the interactive response system, “I could tell if I
individual instruction using
got the question wrong or right and I knew what I needed to study” (p. 11).
SMART [products].” (Moylan, smarttech.com/researchWorcester

2009, p. 2) Keywords: educational assessment; formative assessment; measured annual progress

(MAP); primary research; SMART Response interactive response system; student
assessment; student-centered learning

Real people. Real results.

SMART Response interactive response systems are easy to use, integrate seamlessly
with other SMART products and deliver ongoing insight into student comprehension
and learning needs. The following stories show you real people using SMART Response
interactive response systems to achieve real results.

SMART products increase student engagement in U.S. classrooms

Integrating Technologies for Teaching and Learning
Three U.S. schools reported that using SMART Response interactive response systems
in their classrooms has increased student engagement. Oak Park Unified School District
in Oak Park, California, surveyed teachers using the product and found that 91 percent
believed their students enjoyed the learning process more and that 94 percent felt their
students were more engaged in learning.

New York school district chooses SMART

The Elmont Union Free School District in Elmont, New York, chose the SMART Response
interactive response system for its elementary school classrooms, installing nearly 100 of the
systems in its kindergarten to sixth-grade classes. The decision to purchase the systems was
made because of their seamless integration with other SMART products.

Teachers use new interactive system to connect with students

Teacher Frank Moeller at Bowcroft Elementary School in Calgary, Alberta, Canada,
found that using the SMART Response interactive response system increased student
engagement and improved learning outcomes in his German language classes.
Students used the product to receive instant feedback on their answers, which Moeller
cited as the main reason SMART Response is so effective.

Improved test scores with SMART products

Hurst Junior High School in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District in Hurst,
Texas, has experienced a 25–30 percent improvement in math scores since it began using
SMART Board interactive whiteboards and SMART Response interactive response systems.

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